Tag Archives: Bugfest

Hokie BugFest 2015

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Insights Editor

On Oct. 17, the Inn at Virginia Tech teemed with insects, spiders, millipedes, and other creatures normally found outdoors. It was the fifth annual Hokie BugFest, which attracted 7,020 children and adults from the New River Valley and beyond. This year’s event featured a lineup of entomology exhibits, live arthropods, a flea circus, a spooky spiders’ lair, and glow-in-the-dark millipedes. New this year was a renowned bug chef from Seattle, David George Gordon. Gordon prepared insect delicacies for curious onlookers and explained why eating bugs may be good for you.

Bug ChefOther new attractions included Radford University’s Roachzilla! (giant cockroaches), an exhibit from Bayer Bee Care Center, and a professional face painter. A member of the Virginia Tech Police Department hosted a display on forensics and insects in crime solving. Photographer Deana B. Marion hosted a macro-photography exhibit of bee images. Artist Jane Blevins conducted a bug drawing class with a college theme. And a Virginia Tech biomedical engineering and mechanics lab demonstrated how insects suck up fluids.

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Hokie BugFest 2015

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Insights Editor

Take a peek into the fascinating world of entomology at the fifth annual Hokie BugFest! This unique festival will happen on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Inn at Virginia Tech (Latham Ballroom). The Inn is on the edge of the Virginia Tech campus off Price’s Fork Road, close to the 460 Bypass and near downtown Blacksburg. Free parking is available.

Activities and exhibits include a live Bug Zoo, Roachzilla! (giant cockroaches), luminescent and cave-dwelling bugs, ant colonies, games, and crafts. Arthropod enthusiasts can admire giant “bird-eater” tarantulas, observe bright-blue death-feigning beetles, see a working beehive, and visit departmental research displays. The themes of science and discovery are interwoven into all activities.

Hokie Bugfest was held at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Bugs are displayed for people who are interested in learning about insects, beetles, and spiders up-close.

Hokie Bugfest was held at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Bugs are displayed for people who are interested in learning about insects, beetles, and spiders up-close.

This year we are pleased to welcome David George Gordon, a renowned bug chef from Seattle who will prepare insect delicacies several times during the day. Come find out why eating bugs may be good for you.

Also new this year are a pollinators exhibit from Bayer Bee Care Center and a professional face painter. A member of the Virginia Tech Police Department will host a display on forensics and insects in crime solving.

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Hokie BugFest flashback

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Insights Editor

On Oct. 11, the Inn at Virginia Tech buzzed, hummed, and chirped as thousands of children and adults flocked to the fourth annual Hokie BugFest. This year’s event featured a lineup of entomology exhibits, live arthropods, a flea circus, a bug-themed haunted house, and glow-in-the-dark millipedes. New this year was a bee-dancing contest, where contestants imitated the “waggle” dance that honey bees perform. The HokieBird kicked off the contest by doing a demo.

Hokie Bugfest was held at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Bugs are displayed for people who are interested in learning about insects, beetles, and spiders up-close.

Visitors strolling through Latham Ballroom learned about household pests (such as bed bugs and termites), forest pests (such as gypsy moth and hemlock woolly adelgid), and mosquito pests (such as those that cause malaria and other diseases). A giant apiculture exhibit (sponsored by the New River Valley Beekeepers Association) demonstrated the art of beekeeping and taught visitors about the importance of pollinators in our environment.

Older kids tested their wits by playing Bug Jeopardy and quizzing the Wizard of Entomology. Younger ones enjoyed a wide variety of arts and crafts, including face painting and making bug masks. Many earned a junior entomologist certificate by visiting eight exhibits.

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Hokie BugFest 2014

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Insights Editor

Take a peek into the fascinating world of entomology at the fourth annual Hokie BugFest! This unique festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Inn at Virginia Tech (Latham Ballroom).

Activities and exhibits include a live Bug Zoo, a haunted Bug House, luminescent and cave-dwelling bugs, an ant farm, silkworm cocoons, games, and crafts. Bug enthusiasts can admire a giant bird-eating tarantula, watch cockroach races, and see a working beehive. The themes of science and discovery are interwoven into all activities.

Holding a tarantula at Bugfest

New this year is a bee-waggle dancing contest. We will also feature an insect collection contest for individuals or groups. Other new attractions include a pumpkin patch (with pumpkins for sale) and the well-known Bo-Ty Dawgs.

Don’t miss the Bug Zoo – your chance to view exotic arthropods from North America, South America, Central America, Africa, and Asia. The zoo’s residents include a black widow spider, hundreds of tarantulas, death-feigning beetles, scorpions, hissing cockroaches, several species of millipedes, and vinegaroons (cave-dwelling whip scorpions that squirt vinegar from their tail).

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Save the date

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Insights Editor

May 3: Solar Water Heating: Introductory workshop

  • Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Location: Rockingham County Administration Center — Fire & Rescue Training Room, 20 East Gay Street, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802
  • Price: $20
  • Contact: Josh Ignosh (jignosh@vt.edu | 540-432-6029)

May 5: Dean’s Open Forum

  • Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Fralin Auditorium
  • Contact: Sheila Norman (snorman@vt.edu | 540-231-4152)

May 8: Virginia Cooperative Extension Centennial Showcase

  • Time: 1:30-4 p.m.
  • Location: Ag Quad (between Price and Seitz Halls)
  • Contact: Joe Hunnings (hunnings@vt.edu | 540-231-9409)

May 17: Solar photovoltaics: Introductory workshop

  • Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Location: Northern Virginia 4-H Educational and Conference Center, 600 4-H Center Drive, Front Royal, Va. 22630
  • Price: $20
  • Contact: Josh Ignosh (jignosh@vt.edu | 540-432-6029)

July 24: CALS Faculty/Staff Awards Picnic

  • Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Contact: Sheila Norman (snorman@vt.edu | 540-231-4152)

October 11: Hokie BugFest

  • Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Location: Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
  • Contact: Mike Weaver (mweaver@vt.edu)  | 540-231-6543)
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Save the date

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Insights Editor

April 4: AAEC Seminar Series – “Estimating Farmers’ Willingness to Change Tillage Practices to Supply Carbon Emissions Offsets” with Ben Gramig

  • Time: 3 p.m.
  • Location: Fralin 102 auditorium
  • Contact: Ashley Clark (aclark06@vt.edu | 540-231-0913)

April 23: PPWS Graduate Information Session

  • Time: 3 p.m.
  • Location: 420 Price Hall
  • Contact: Cris Thompson (cris75@vt.edu | 540-231-0740)

May 3: Solar Water Heating: Introductory Workshop

  • Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Location: Rockingham County Administration Center – Fire & Rescue Training Room, 20 East Gay Street, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802
  • Price: $20
  • Contact: Josh Ignosh (jignosh@vt.edu | 540-432-6029)

May 8: Virginia Cooperative Extension Centennial Showcase

  • Time: 1:30 – 4 p.m.
  • Location: Ag Quad (between Price and Seitz halls)
  • Contact: Joe Hunnings (hunnings@vt.edu | 540-231-9409)

May 17: Solar Photovoltaics: Introductory Workshop

  • Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Location: Northern Virginia 4-H Educational and Conference Center, 600 4H Center Drive, Front Royal, Va. 22630
  • Price: $20
  • Contact: Josh Ignosh (jignosh@vt.edu | 540-432-6029)

October 11: Hokie BugFest

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Save the date

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Insights Editor

March 4: Seed Starting Workshop with Holly Scoggins

  • Time: 10 a.m. – noon
  • Location: Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion
  • Price: $15 Friends of the Garden and Hale YMCA members/$20 general public
  • Contact: Stephanie Huckestein (vtgarden@vt.edu | 540-231-5970)

March 4: Mini Hoophouse Construction at the Hale YMCA Community Garden

  • Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Location: Hale YMCA Community Garden
  • Price: $15 Hale YMCA Gardeners and Friends of the Hahn Garden/$20 general public
  • Contact: Stephanie Huckestein (vtgarden@vt.edu | 540-231-5970)

March 19: Abundant Mini Gardens: Intro to Growing Abundant Fruit and Year-Round Vegetables in Small Raised Garden Beds

  • Time: Noon – 1 p.m.
  • Location: Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion
  • Price: Free
  • Contact: Stephanie Huckestein (vtgarden@vt.edu | 540-231-5970)

March 21: AAEC Seminar Series – “The Marginal Non-Market Value of Cropland: Hedonic Analysis with Semiparametric Instruemental Variable Methods” with Chris Parameter

  • Time: 3 p.m.
  • Location: Fralin 102 auditorium
  • Contact: Ashley Clark (aclark06@vt.edu | 540-231-0913)

March 21: HABB1 Grand Opening

  • Time: 10 a.m., ceremony. 10:30 a.m. – noon, reception and tours
  • Location: Corner of Duck Pond Drive and Washington Street
  • Contact: Jamie Lucero (jlucero@vt.edu | 540-231-8000)

March 21: Alumni Awards Program

  • Time: 2 p.m., ceremony. 3 p.m., social. 6 p.m., reception. 6:30 p.m., dinner.
  • Location: The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
  • Contact: Jamie Lucero (jlucero@vt.edu | 540-231-8000)

March 25-27: Dean’s Forum on Global Engagement – Developing a Community of Excellence

  • Time: Begins at 10 a.m. on March 25, times vary for remainder of forum. The full schedule is posted.
  • Location: The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, Squires Student Center, The Center for the Arts
  • Contact: Glenda Scales (540-231-9754 | gscales@vt.edu)

March 29: Garden Flow with Karen Rexrode

  • Time: 10 a.m. – noon
  • Location: Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion
  • Price: $15 Friends of the Garden/$20 general public
  • Contact: Stephanie Huckestein (vtgarden@vt.edu | 540-231-5970)

April 4: AAEC Seminar Series – “Estimating Farmers’ Willingness to Change Tillage Practices to Supply Carbon Emissions Offsets” with Ben Gramig

  • Time: 3 p.m.
  • Location: Fralin 102 auditorium
  • Contact: Ashley Clark (aclark06@vt.edu | 540-231-0913)

October 11: Hokie BugFest

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Hokie Bugfest is Oct. 19

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Insights Editor
Graduate students show off bugs from the first Hokie Bugfest, held in 2011

Graduate students show off bugs from the first Hokie Bugfest, held in 2011.

The third annual Hokie Bugfest will be held on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference center, in the Latham Ballroom.

This free festival, sponsored by the Department of Entomology, will feature a live Bug Zoo, a haunted Bug House, luminescent bugs, games, crafts, and eye-catching exhibits.

Bug enthusiasts can admire a giant bird-eater tarantula, watch cockroach races, try on a beekeeper’s suit, and chat with the HokieBird and Hokietron. This is a fun and educational event for the entire family.

Contact: Mike Weaver,  mweaver@vt.edu.  540-231-6543.

For more information: www.hokiebugfest.org

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Hokie Bugfest at the Science Museum of Western Virginia

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Insights Editor
Jackie Brown, Molly Darr, and Whitney Weaver show off bugs at the Science Museum of Western Virginia.

Jackie Brown, Molly Darr, and Whitney Weaver show off bugs at the Science Museum of Western Virginia.

On May 18, Department of Entomology faculty, staff, and graduate students showed off live arthropods (including tarantulas, exotic cockroaches, and scorpions) and pinned specimens in the newly renovated Science Museum of Western Virginia. The exhibit was mobbed all day by excited children and adults. The entomology display was a popular part of the reopening festivities of Roanoke’s Center in the Square.

More photos can be found at the Hokie Bugfest Facebook page.

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Oct. 20: Second annual Hokie Bugfest

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Insights Editor

Video: Hokie Bugfest preview

The second annual Hokie Bugfest will be held on Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Inn at Virginia Tech in the Latham Ballroom. This free festival, hosted by the Department of Entomology, will feature live insect displays and crafts. Insect enthusiasts can admire a giant bird-eater tarantula, watch cockroach races, try on a beekeeper’s suit, and visit the insect zoo. This is a fun and educational event for the entire family.

More information

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